New website provides entrepreneurs with business development resources

By Tracy Puckett

“In addition to helping entrepreneurs flourish, we hope this online ‘one-stop shop’ will lead to increased collaboration among business venture assets.”

Timothy Leyh, executive director, iHub and TCIE

University at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University at Buffalo and Launch NY announce
the debut of a new website connecting current and would-be
entrepreneurs to upstate New York resources that offer assistance
in starting, growing and managing a business.

The website, www.upstatenyresources.org,
is structured according to five stages of business development:
explore, start, demonstrate, launch and grow. Each stage is
defined, with recommended activities identified and appropriate
resources listed.

Development of the website is part of a two-year grant awarded
to a consortium of UB entities by the U.S. Economic Development
Administration. The funds created the Innovation Hub (iHub)
Accelerator, which is aimed at fostering innovation, job creation
and capital investment in 10 Western New York counties. Initiatives
and activities are led by the following UB entities: TCIE, the
Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, the
New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life
Sciences; the School of Management; and the New York State Center
for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation.

“In addition to helping entrepreneurs flourish, we hope
this online ‘one-stop shop’ will lead to increased
collaboration among business venture assets,” said Timothy
Leyh, executive director of iHub Accelerator and TCIE. “We
would like for it to attract the attention of other resource
providers and stakeholders as well – such as policy makers,
regulators and public officials – to further boost Western
New York’s innovation infrastructure.”

Scott Cassety, Launch NY’s entrepreneur-in-residence for
Western New York, said the website is an important resource for
entrepreneurs and startup companies, including those from outside
New York.

“There is an extensive range of services available in
upstate New York that entrepreneurs can access to help them build
their business,” Cassety said. “This website lets
entrepreneurs and startups everywhere know that upstate New York
really is ‘open for business.’”